Activities to Reduce Stress and Keep You Cool

Stress is one of the most common human experiences.  Regardless of race, sex, background, and age, no one can avoid the overwhelming burden of stress. Studies show that over 77 percent of adults experience stress levels that negatively affect the mental and physical well being. Time seems to fly by and we often find ourselves without practical stress release activities.

At times it may feel like we no longer have time to enjoy the morning breeze or to even just stop and admire the roses. Life has become this never-ending, inescapable race that we all signed up for without even realizing it. The funny thing is no one seems to where we are running to or what we are running from but we keep running nonetheless.

Just like runners, we need to constantly check our pace to make sure that we are not burning out. When you experience stress or anxiety it is important that you take a step back and recognize that you need to slow down before you completely burn out. With that in mind, we will be discussing a few stress release activities that you can start doing right now. These will be really simple stress relief activities that are going to greatly improve your life in general.

Stress Release Activities That will Change Your Life

With all of the challenges we face, below are some essential techniques that will help add some value to your everyday life. Despite your stress level, it is essential that you reconnect with yourself so that you start enjoying your day again.

1. Exercise

Exercise is one of the best stress release activities you can start doing today. Adding stress to an already stressed body may seem a little strange, but studies do support the mental and physical benefits of regular exercise. For one, exercise is known to help your body reduce its stress hormones while contributing to improved sleep quality which may have been previously affected by stress.

The best way to go about incorporating this stress release activity into your daily life is through creating a routine that works for you. Find an exercise regimen that suits you and stick to it and it will soon become second nature.

2. Aromatherapy

This is one of the simplest stress relief techniques available and it is very beneficial. It only involves lighting a scented candle or setting up a diffuser, but it makes a world of difference. We highly recommend adding this to your list of things to do relieve stress, especially after a long day. Below are a couple of scents that are known for their particularly soothing nature.

• Lavender
• Rose
• Sandalwood.
• Roman Candle
• Ylang Ylang
• Geranium

3. Chewing Gum as a stress relief technique

This may seem a little odd but studies have shown that people who chew gum display a greater sense of well-being and a reduced sense of stress. A consensus hasn’t quite been reached on why chewing gum has this effect on humans being. Still, the fact remains that is one of the best ways to relieve stress, especially during the day while you are at work or school. Here is a pro tip for you; you could always opt for sugar-free gum, they will help you reduce your stress without ruining your teeth.

4. Reduce your Caffeine Intake

Caffeine addiction has been on the rise and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. This mild stimulant has become a staple of most people’s day. It gives you that little boost you need to get through the day. But people have different thresholds for how much coffee they can take in. When taken in excess it can actually cause you to be more anxious and stressed throughout the day. We highly recommend pacing yourself throughout the day. This will help you figure out when your coffee stops being helpful and starts causing you to be jittery and anxious. You may find that this is one of the best ways to relieve stress during your busy workdays.

5. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness refers to a practice that anchors you in your present and goes a long way in calming your human spirit. It is known to be a very simple and therapeutic way to relieve stress. It is also very versatile. You can practice mindfulness in very many ways for example:

•  Yoga
•  Journaling
•  Meditation
•  Cognitive Therapy

You can practice mindfulness at any time of the day or whenever you feel stressed. You will find that is soothing for the soul and healing for the mind.

Stress is largely unavoidable as it is an intricate part of being human. However, this doesn’t mean that it should take control of your life and ruin your mental and physical well being. Taking time out of your day to acknowledge that you are a little stressed and may need to take some time to yourself is not only warranted but also highly encouraged. So go ahead and use one of the few stress relief ideas in this article and have a stress free day.